This Week: Republic to play last game at Hughes Stadium

On Saturday, the new but already wildly popular Sacramento Republic FC soccer team will play the LA Galaxy II. The game will be the last the team plays in Hughes Stadium, at Sacramento City College, before decamping to its own facility at Cal Expo.

The team’s first two home games at Hughes have been packed, drawing crowds larger than those at a typical Kings NBA game these days, despite the fact that the Republic plays in a minor league. More than 20,000 fans came to the first match, and the crowd at the second was only slightly smaller. Fans drove, walked from nearby neighborhoods and arrived on light-rail trains.

Those crowds will, by necessity, be cut by more than half at Cal Expo, where the $3 million temporary facility has just 8,000 seats. It’s not easy to walk there, and there’s no light-rail access. But the team’s backers have said they can’t stay at Hughes, because it isn’t wide enough to meet the standards of professional soccer. They hope to use the strong ticket sales to convince Major League Soccer to locate a franchise in Sacramento. The ultimate goal: a new stadium downtown.

In the News

Agencies offer free tax seminar for nonprofits

Representatives from various state agencies – including the Board of Equalization, the Franchise Tax Board and the attorney general’s office – will participate in a free seminar Thursday for people and organizations who want to learn about state tax laws pertaining to nonprofits. The daylong seminar, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., takes place at the Ark of Salvation Church, 6920 Larchmont Drive in North Highlands.

Sac State Symphony Orchestra performs Tuesday

The public is invited to a recital Tuesday of the Sacramento State Symphony Orchestra at Capistrano Hall, 6000 J St. Under the direction of Leo Eylar, the program features Tchaikovsky’s “Rococo Variations” for orchestra and cello, with student cellist Joyce Park, and Brahms’ Symphony No. 3. The 8 p.m. performance is $10 for the general public; $7 for students; and $5 for students.

UC Davis recruiting employees at job fair

UC Davis’ second annual Veterans, Disabled and Diversity Career and Resource Fair takes place Wednesday from noon to 3 p.m. at the university’s Sacramento campus at 48th Street and Second Avenue. The event, which features university jobs available in Sacramento and Davis, is free and open to the public. More than 550 people attended last year’s event. “Our inaugural fair last year was a great success, and it led directly to our hiring some very qualified attendees,” said UC Davis Health System Human Resources Director Steve Chilcott.

‘Walk with a Doc’ at Freedom Park on Saturday

North Highlands residents are invited to take a walk with Dr. Elizabeth Gutierrez in Freedom Park on Saturday as part of the Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society’s “Walk with a Doc” program. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. under the covered picnic area on the Freedom Park Drive side of the park, 3244 Freedom Park Drive. Participants can chat about health with Gutierrez while walking about a mile.

AAA releases new gas price survey Tuesday

After climbing steadily for three months, gas prices in the Sacramento area and other California regions stalled last week. On Tuesday, Golden State motorists can assess the economic implications when AAA releases its monthly statewide gas price survey, breaking down average at-the-pump costs in cities throughout California.

Roseville’s garden tour showcases ‘Cash for Grass’ landscaping

See 10 homes that showcase water-efficient gardens from Roseville’s “Cash for Grass” program at the city’s Greener Gardens tour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The self-guided tour starts at the Roseville Utility Exploration Center, 1501 Pleasant Grove Blvd. (Mahany Park). The cost is $5 per family. Call (916) 746-1550 to resigter in advance.

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